Firstly, a happy Tuesday to you all and welcome to a brand new season. I hope you’ve all been behaving yourselves this summer. It’s felt like a long break without the Arsenal – plus ca change – even with the welcome appetiser of a World Cup to enjoy, along with a trip to see Pete in NYC – I can confirm he is still a complete tart.
Nonetheless, I can rarely recall anticipating the start of a new season with such fervour as this one, as a full stop was placed at the end of the Wenger dynasty and a new era begins (I’m reluctant to denote it as the ‘Emery era’, as I’d be flabbergasted if he – or any future manager – sustains a reign to match Arsene’s).
A perfect amuse-bouche for the season curtain raiser was a tour of the Player Performance Centre at London Colney last week, followed by a presentation and Q&A. An assembled group of London-based football journalists and Arsenal bloggers were invited to the training ground as part of the club’s push to enhance club and press relations. Whether this was lip service or otherwise, the whole experience was exceptionally revealing and whilst there will be ongoing concerns around player personnel and tactics, any perceived worries over the players’ physical preparation should be fully alleviated. This is a genuinely world-class operation, and one that is geared up to succeed.
My over-riding takeaway from the event was there is a tacit (and fair) acknowledgment from Arsenal that they are not going to be able to compete financially with the petro-clubs; however, we can try and steal a march with marginal gains around player physiology, psychology and analysis.
The tour was led by the impressive Darren Burgess (Director of High Performance), along with Gary O’Driscoll (Medical Director) and Chris Morgan (First Team Senior Physiotherapist – recently poached from Liverpool); along with Sean O’Connor (Training Centre Facilities Manager). Sean has worked at the club for the best part of two decades and his passion and love for Arsenal was infectious.
Rather than provide lengthy paragraphs and prose, I’ve summarised the key points from the afternoon, which hopefully makes it slightly more digestible than my usual stodge (plus there’s a fair few facts and stats):
The facilities
• Investment in the training centre in the last two years totals £17 million
• The club now employ 250 staff on the performance side. The greatest attributor to this has undoubtedly been in analysis
• The club boasts the largest crypto-chamber in the UK at a cost of £160k
• The players are stat-obsessed – they take it incredibly seriously. In the gym there are boards that are updated after every match with ‘top-3’s’ for a number of metrics, such as most sprints, maximum acceleration, distance covered and total sprinting distance
• The general facilities are – as you would expect – outstanding and cutting edge. Be it the indoors 40 metre running track, or the 3D body analysis room for post injury analysis, it really is an amazing environment
• The small details make all the difference too – the changing areas and whole building are flooded with natural light whilst corridors are lined with iconic images of Arsenal legends and iconic moments
Darren Burgess
Further to the tour, a 30-45 minute presentation and Q&A was given by Darren Burgess. The key takeaways were:
• The club wants to be more open and relationship driven, including with regard to player injuries and fitness
• There are now 31 full-time medical staff at the club
• The club has hired data ingenue and Candy Crush guru Mikhail Zhilkin to provide the analysis for the vast swathes of data that’re recorded
• The club are constantly monitoring and assessing the players’ fitness – to paraphrase, every training session is a fitness test
• The key focus area is around player resilience, which is tailored to Emery’s desire for high-pressing and constant movement
What was abundantly clear from both the tour of the facilities and the subsequent presentation from the team, is that whilst Arsenal could certainly be accused of letting standards drop on the pitch over recent years, they haven’t given an inch off it.
The improvements are incremental and ongoing, but the club has made both the physical investment in facilities, coupled with hiring the best experts from around the globe to build on marginal gains and create the best possible platform for the manager and his coaches.
Most tellingly, it was made clear that the players have been receptive to the heightened importance placed on physiology and conditioning. Whilst it may mean more time in the gym or in recovery sessions, they buy-in to the practices and believe it can enhance performance.
A big thank you to Darren Burgess and his team for their time and insight – the above only skims the surface of what was garnered.
Man City and looking ahead to Chelsea
I’m not going to wade too deep into Sunday’s game – Pete covered it off nicely yesterday, but a few observations:
• The main positive was how we pressed as a unit for the majority of the game. The results were mixed, but there was a clear change from last season – the distance run by the team exceeded any distance we covered last season
• Ramsey came in for a lot of stick – as he so often seems to – but watch the game back. He was outstanding at leading, or ‘triggering’, our front-line press and most of the times that it bore fruit was a result of his industry
• The issue with this approach is that it leaves Ramsey as one of the furthest two players forward (often the most advanced), which prevents him from hurting opponents with his unique skillset – namely his ability to break into the box from deep, often unchecked
• Ozil undoubtedly had a poor game, but similarly to Ramsey, the role he was playing was never going to allow him to weave his magic. His position on the wing meant he spent large swathes of the game as an auxiliary right back to support Bellerin, and crucially, he was not in positions to hurt our opponents
• Aubameyang also looked isolated. With Ozil too deep and Ramsey too advanced, he didn’t have the benefit of arriving support to play off
• Our success, or otherwise, this season depends largely on getting Ramsey and Ozil into positions on the pitch where they can hurt opponents. This set-up didn’t achieve that in this game – but, it’s Man City who aren’t a fair barometer of how we will shape up against more forgiving opponents (who are pretty much any team in the last decade of the Premier League)
• Cech made some excellent saves – undeniably – but if Emery wants to set out the side to build from the back, Cech is not the man for the job. That being said, it should be of concern that our £25 million German international hasn’t convinced the coaching staff that he is good enough to usurp the helmeted veteran, who’s best years are clearly far behind him
Chelsea
• For Chelsea, I’d be setting up slightly differently. Whilst our defence didn’t cover themselves in glory on Sunday, very little was expected of them. Of more concern was our inability to get our star-studded attack firing
• If you look at Klopp’s Liverpool (pre-Van Dijk and Allison), he has clearly taken an approach that has shoe-horned all of his best attackers into the team and creating a platform for them, accepting that their defence is not top tier
• I sense we are in a similar situation. Our defence is highly fallible, but our attack is high calibre and that’s the part of our game we need to optimise (appreciate this feels a bit like a Wenger-throwback!)
• Aside from bringing Monreal into the side (fitness permitting), I would be drafting in Torreira and Lacazette for Saturday teatime for Guendouzi and Mkhi
• Guendouzi did *okay* against Citeh – his attitude was outstanding, he never hid and always wanted the ball, but his defensive naivety (which is completely to be expected at this embryonic stage of his career) was brutally exposed by Silva, Sterling et al. and with Jorginho and Kovacic in waiting at Stamford Bridge, I would be plumping for experience
• Mkhi shouldn’t start big games for Arsenal. In my view, he is a talented stat-padder versus dross, who looks lightweight and ineffectual against our immediate rivals. I’d have preferred the money for Alexis….
• Xhaka had a poor game on Sunday, however I’d be interested to see him with Torreira who – in theory – should prevent Xhaka having to play on the turn so much, which he clearly struggles with
• To get the best out of our four main attackers, I’d have a diamond with Torreira at the base with Xhaka sitting deep alongside Ramsey (with licence to roam) and then Ozil at the tip in a more conventional number 10 role; behind a front two of Auba and Laca
• Our two front-men’s synergy is obvious and their best spells in Arsenal shirts have been when they’ve dovetailed together.
Sorry it’s been a long one – thanks for sticking with me. Until next time.
Follow me @BeardofPires
No Receding
This blog isn’t a tub-thumping pom-pom waving site that ignores or continually criticises so-called rivals. There are other blogs like that.
If Liverpool do well and some of their players perform well I am sure it will be noted. If they fail this as well will be noted.
I’ve already told you before that your fixation with Liverpool is embarrassing. They are not true rivals of Arsenal and in regards to Liverpool seeing Arsenal as a rival we are down the list.
Calm down on the scousers.
Marko
You mean like you cited his 125 goals of Dortmund were CF despite him playing left wing when Lewy was still there?
He produces from wide forward, and it’s to the benefit of the team to have the more rounded Laca centrally. Your words are noise to distract from that.
So you just admitted that Laca is better centrally. No I more admitted that Auba is better than Mhik, Ozil, Iwobi and Welbeck on the LW such is our options there. I think Aubameyang is a goal scoring machine and has shown that the last number of years and at 29 why not play him in his natural position. I don’t believe Lacazette is better centrally or is the better striker no history and stats show this. But we’re all over the place set up wise that we’re having this conversation. Put it this way if we had two wingers… Read more »
Jordan Henderson is better than Xhaka.
No he is not. I am no Xhaka fanboy but they are basically the same level of player. Henderson just happens to be a tad quicker and more aware of what goes on around him.
Henderson also panics when pressed.
Xhaka can go to La Liga or Serie A and look like a player, separate Henderson from Klopps hugs and all you are not left with much. No team outside England, Scotland or Ireland will touch Henderson.
No he is not. I am no Xhaka fanboy but they are basically the same level of player. Henderson just happens to be a tad quicker and more aware of what goes on around him.
— you’ve just given reasons as to why he is a better player than Xhaka.
I’ve already told you before that your fixation with Liverpool is embarrassing. They are not true rivals of Arsenal and in regards to Liverpool seeing Arsenal as a rival we are down the list.
Yea, because they played in a Champions league final and finished 4th twice in a roll. Great achievements ..all we have never done before since inception. The only thing embarrassing here is your fixation on Liverpool and all they do.
you’ve just given reasons as to why he is a better player than Xhaka.
Being faster than someone does not make you better than them. It’s not the Olympics
Cech needs to look at himself for his reaction to tweets said in jest about his performance too. People take things way too seriously.
Come on here and see what the likes of RT, GOH, Bob, Pitbull say so you can develop a thicker skin Petr.
You mean like you cited his 125 goals of Dortmund were CF despite him playing left wing when Lewy was still there?
He scored in total 141 goals for Dortmund. 16 came playing wide to accommodate Lewandowski. When he left and Aubameyang moved to CF he scored 125 goals. No distractions just facts.
Speed helps Hendo to react to situations quicker and more effectively than Xhaka does. Xhaka either shys away completely or sees the situation too late. His reading of the game is trash.
I’m not here to have a back and forth about that though, just wanted to point that out. I could care less about Liverpool, we’re not in the same lane currently.
Receding
You are showing your mental unstable side again Receding which is a shame as you seemed to have calmed down a bit lately.
I don’t continually talk about Liverpool on here. I talk about them sporadically.
You on the other hand go ape shit whenever their name is mentioned by any poster.
Maybe you feel silly now that you were implying a few months ago that Arsenal could compete with them this season and be on some sort of par with them. I don’t know. Whatever it is you should calm it on the scouse.
Ishola answer Charlie’s question, since Liverpool are now by your own estimation on another planet to us, what are their goals this season, what will the love of your live Liverpool do to be considered a success, hope it’s not finishing fourth behind a Man United and Spurs again….. And also by your logic Spurs do not consider us rivals again, they have finished above us for a few seasons now. Our rivals are now Everton and Burnley ….you do talk a lot of rubbish most times ..just stick to Xhaka bashing Liverpool levels above us my backside, lets talk… Read more »
“No I more admitted that Auba is better than Mhik, Ozil, Iwobi and Welbeck on the LW such is our options there. I think Aubameyang is a goal scoring machine and has shown that the last number of years and at 29 why not play him in his natural position. ” Make no mistake, Auba is not going to the left because he’s better than our options there (even though he’s better than them). He’s going there because we don’t have wingers that would enable him play to his strengths centrally. Auba through the middle is shit without winger services.… Read more »
Xhaka can go to La Liga or Serie A and look like a player, separate Henderson from Klopps hugs and all you are not left with much
That first part may be true but they both play in the premier league and in that league Henderson is by far the better player.
Cech needs to look at himself for his reaction to tweets said in jest about his performance too. People take things way too seriously.
yea i was very disappointed with his responses on twitter and then even responding to that fraud Registability
Receding
I will repeat I do not know nor do I care if Liverpool win anything this season.
My sole concern is that they look to be on another level to Arsenal at present.
You can continue to fixate on them. I’m not interested.
This is not an argument about who’s the better player but rather about who suits what we have ATM.
That’s what I said
I will repeat I do not know nor do I care if Liverpool win anything this season.My sole concern is that they look to be on another level to Arsenal at present.
First off you do care, you are just winding your neck in now because your constant rim job on them here has been noticed. Secondly lets us decide the levels thing by December by he very least not after Matchday 1
How very dare you question Mkhitaryan. Half of the first team is ahead of him in the queue for the chop.
Henderson can also tackle and read the game which is very important for a deep CM. Xhaka cannot do any of those things
Mental.
T ha ts what I said you said. You misconstrued it as a debate about who is the better striker.
“Mkhi shouldn’t start big games for Arsenal.”\ That may be true BUT so too with Ozil, he should be nowhere our starting 11 in big games as well, as a matter of fact if it were up to me he would not be at the club. Fans make so much excuses for Ozil, even if he plays in the middle which ppl claim is his bet position he ‘s still crap against teams that press its only against crap teams that he sows up. So we have a apparent superstar player get 350p per week to only show up against… Read more »
James Willson Firstly I was at Emirates on Sunday and I did not see much evidence of pressing by Arsenal. We spent most of the first hour defending or back passing to goalkeeper. Our midfield was in my view completely outplayed in first hour with an awful lot of mispasses. Guendouzi showed some enthusiasm, but in my view lacked the experience to handle the opposition. Personally I would not have selected him for this game. Chelsea is an entirely different proposition and yes I would bring in both Lacazette and Torreira. When they came on our performance level did improve… Read more »
Henderson and Xhaka don’t play same roles. For DM I would take H, for DLP I would take X. both different players. Compare Fabinho and Xhaka. They look to have the same job. They should be no arguments there about who’s better
Receding I saw that with Cech, he’s been awfully precious there and you have to think he’s feeling a bit insecure to lash out quite like it. Wasn’t needed whatsoever however “disrespectful” the original jest was (I didn’t think so at all). Marko You are distracting. You’re arguing in the face of what everybody watched, and has watched previously. Auba offered nothing against City through the middle, Laca did much more in 20 mins – as well as freeing Auba to finally look like a threat coming inside from wide. Holding up goal tallies like you’re doing is a child’s… Read more »
A lot of le grove posters will soon die because Ozil makes 350k per week.
“First off you do care, you are just winding your neck in now because your constant rim job on them here has been noticed. Secondly lets us decide the levels thing by December by he very least not after Matchday 1“
🙂
Read this twice Ishola, and take it on board
lol who would have thought the mention of Henderson would cause such a stir.
Why the hell is Ishola always spelling Xhaka as “Xjaka?”
”
What a shit post
A load of words to say I’m on the inside so listen to me, combined with a load of smoke being blown up the club’s ass..
EIE”
Got to agree mate. This article is a load of cow dung.
This writer is blowing smoke up Ramsey’s, Ozil’s and Xhaka’s asses.
Toz, Gwen and Rams in midfield, all day long.
Unfortunately, in a press, Xhaka is always going to struggle.
There is a decent player in there somewhere.
“Liverpool are now by your own estimation on another planet to us”
They aren’t ?? I must have miss an episode…
Shocking some rate Henderson! if he were playing for us will u rate him that high?
AKBs seem to have a positive attitude towards the success of the club whist the WOBs believe the club is lacking in
quality and our rivals seem to be far ahead of us.
Some just find all thing Arsenal is bad and all thing rival is good.
For heaven sake, this is just a game in the new season. Things will improve.
Emery has big decisons to make before we play the Chavs. They play a high-paced, pressing game with quality attackers in Hazard and Willian who will rip us apart. There is no place in our side for those who don’t pull the weight. Emery has to make his mark and drop the lightweights like Ozil, Miki and Xhaka. If those three start, we will have almost one-third of our outfield players either not competing or – in Xhaka’s case – a liability. AMN (if fit), Wellbeck and Iwobi may not be top class but they do compete. Or what about… Read more »
Man City
Chelsea
West Ham
Cardiff
Newcastle
Everton
Watford
Fulham
Leicester
Palace
First ten matches. How many points out of 30 would you call progress?
Ooooppssss Suarez aka “the deadly teeth” is in da place, too dangerous, I’m out lol
Auba offered nothing against City through the middle, Laca did much more in 20 mins – as well as freeing Auba to finally look like a threat coming inside from wide…Holding up goal tallies like you’re doing is a child’s way of debating a point. Didn’t you bring up his 16 goals for Dortmund playing wide in debating your point? So it’s okay for you? Also judging his performance in playing wide to accommodate Lacazette is poor if you don’t consider his far superior performances playing centrally over the years for Dortmund or even for Arsenal. He scored more of… Read more »
Liverpool will compete for the title this season. Their problems has always been consistency with the lower teams. They do well against big teams. They have spent good money of fortifying the back-line so one has to think they will push City all the way.
Arsenal will not be in the conversation for the title at all.
Stop busting Ishola’s balls 😉
We need our Xhaka,logist to stay on task.
I do agree that Henderson is a lot better that Xhaka.
Receding
Always found it impossible to judge in that way, no idea how good each club is for the season. On paper is not where it’s played.
After 10 games if we’re within 8 points I’d say improvement of sorts. But again, that’s depending on how well the leaders are having to play to be there.
Shocking some rate Henderson! if he were playing for us will u rate him that high?
He’s not even that good but again he’s better than Xhaka. In the two seasons Xhaka has been in England Henderson has been the better player
Why the hell is Ishola always spelling Xhaka as “Xjaka?”
I believe he once said that was the correct way to spell it since it was an Albanian name or some attention seeking stuff like that . Wonder why no one has told the Xhaka family, the actual Albanians, that they have been getting it wrong all along.
I don’t rate Henderson at all, Xhaka is woeful. I’m not sure how he gets into the team, and Emery will soon figure this out for himself although its worrying he hasn’t already.
Marko What part of Auba being shit against City are you continuing to miss? Was it star alignment or something that you’re using to give him a free pass? It’s not th first time he’s been ineffective centrally through them middle in the prem, defenders are bigger, meaner and he’s not got te frame to absorb it. I don’t much care what stats you want to peddle from Germany. He’s not as effective for us as Laca is at CF. He is stocky and can play with his back to goal. I really don’t want to continue banging my head… Read more »
Henderson was asked to step into Gerrards boots. Most people will agree that he’s stepped into it.
He also had to deal with an incurable foot condition [Like Koschielny has had to deal with inflamed Achilles tendinitis].
Liverpool fans generally like him. He’s not a ball player but he’s functional and can read the game quite well. Klopp is going to rotate his midfielders. Keita will probably be the linchpin of the midfield.
Michael,
Emery won’t chop all three so early, so we’re probably looking at which one of the three could we put in the lineup. I’d pick Mikki over Ozil and Xhaka.
Liverpool can do whatever it s they want to do, i for one will be on hand when all these grand predictions in their favor fails to materialize, As for Henderson being a lot better than Xhaka i will just take that as your opinion Dissenter. I will be rather shut down my laptop than spend a day discussing Henderson
“Why the hell is Ishola always spelling Xhaka as “Xjaka?””
He’s the local Xhaka.logist
Give the guy some fu*king respect. He’s done the research about the proper spelling. It was like when we has Sczezny.
Marko, I think this Pitbull fella has a fixation with you.
“Henderson was asked to step into Gerrards boots. Most people will agree that he’s stepped into it.“
Huh? I really hope you mean Gerrard left a paid of studs for him to wear, like literally..
Dissenter was a Xjaka apologist.
Let that sink in.
I am glad this forum is largely unanimous in Xhaka being a completely trash player.
I don’t want to see him in the first team lineup for a good long while till we face Europa League minnows (which appears to be his ability level).
He needs to be sold in January, he’ll never fit into Emery’s style and he’s a true liability who only offers wayward sideways passes and defensive horror gaffes.
I think he’s my most disliked player since Denilson. Rarely have venomous distaste for our players but Xhaka fits the mould for me.
Receding
All we give are our opinions
Every single one of us. No one here is a card carrying member of the football Mensa society.
I don’t rate Henderson at all, Xhaka is woeful. I’m not sure how he gets into the team, and Emery will soon figure this out for himself although its worrying he hasn’t already.
There will be games for Xhaka this season, lots of them both domestic and in Europe. People go on and on like we will be playing teams on City’s level all season
Charlie still hasn’t answered the question in who will be Liverpool’s midfield three to see the great Hendo placed on the bench.
Charlie what would be your points expectation out of 30 for the first 10 league games??
Just to wind up a select few..
But Xhaka was one of the last players back for pre-season and only clocked 60 mins before playing City.
Ramsey and co had a full 6-8 weeks of conditioning and several pre-season games. What’s their excuse?
Ishola still has not told us why he spells Xhaka as Xjaka
Cause he’s a goofy cunt.
That’s why I spell it like that.
Xhakas not only bad against City though, he’s poor against most teams. He usually puts together a 2-3 game run towards the conclusion of the season where he looks semi competent. Which, and I’m not conspiracy theorist is when teams we’re playing largely have nothing to play for so he has time and space to make his risk-free passes. He’s garbage. We need need to play in the EL and to put up a competent showing because he needs to be sold sooner rather than later. I can’t think of an Arsenal player I can’t stomach more than him over… Read more »
Ishola
Because it’s self evident, anyone bar Henderson. He’s the last man they’ll trot out in the XI, or he’ll play if they’re shutting up shop. He’s fortunate Ox is broken or he’d have been sold as was mooted.
Where’s your answer on what Liverpool should be achieving, and who would be praised/blame were we to finish above them?
Receding
Again idk, every season is different. 23 points say? Couple of losses and draw from 10 would be solid. Actually particularly good if we tank at Chelsea, maybe 3 losses out of 10. Hard to call.
“Dissenter was a Xjaka apologist.” Aargh…lol Dissenter was one who didn’t think the Arsenal universe revolved on an axis around Xjaka [hope I spelled it right :-)] I didn’t think he was the biggest or most imminent problem in the team’ I sad a new goalkeeper to replace Cech and a winger were higher on the priority list. I do not obsess about Xhaka. He’s just another defective cog in the wheels of progress like Ozil, Mikhi, Iwobi, Ramsey, Cech, Bellerin, …. Xhaka will still be useful in some games or some tactical approaches depending on how Emery wishes to… Read more »
Receding
Again idk, every season is different. 23 points say? Couple of losses and draw from 10 would be solid. Actually particularly good if we tank at Chelsea, maybe 3 losses out of 10. Hard to call.
I really wanna beat Chelsea Charlie, they have been mouthing off after beating Huddersfield. I never liked the term Wengerball…i think i dislike Sarri ball more. The press and bloggers use it now at the drop of a hat.
What you are saying Dissenter is that you massively underplayed the harm Xjaka does for this team.
It’s ok though you are forgiven now that you have come on board the Xjaka must be banished train.
Receding You and me both. I said the opening period would be most pressure filled after that deflating and stale end to the window. It’d be a different outlook if we had some exciting players to blood but it’s a bit meek. Emery is under pressure right away to affect a type of change that will take half a season to see. Chelsea won’t be like City though, similar pedigree but they too are learning something different – despite being better equipped in terms of personnel. Figure we’ll see a more alanced affair instead of a well oiled machine trampling… Read more »
I think we get our first points from the Westham game just in time to stave off the crises mode when the international break begins.
We have to be really patient with Emery.
Chelsea didn’t put out their full strength team against Huddersfield and it was like men against boys.
Dissenter
Men against boys, or like Chelsea against…….Huddersfield.
Cmon now
Charlie I can’t answer your question because even if a team improves it doesn’t mean that it will result in them winning either the EPL or CL especially EPL with Man City around. They should be looking to put in some sort of threat though to Man City but even this may not materialise. As I said to you before my concern is not whether Liverpool win the league or make a challenge to Man City. My concern is that Liverpool look to have gone a notch above Arsenal now. That is the concern. Disappointing that you were unable to… Read more »
I think we can get something from the Chelsea game
I like that we are bringing experts in to the team from across the game. I just hope that it isnt at the expense of signing the best players. The clubs strategy in the medium term should 100% be to outspend the other 19 teams in the PL, certainly from a wages point of view. I’ve heard Gazidis mention Leicester as an example of what is possible far too often. Thats a fine approach to take if your goal is to win the PL once every 100 years. The team with the biggest budget won the league in England, Scotland,… Read more »
Chelsea didn’t put out their full strength team against Huddersfield and it was like men against boys.
First off we are not Huddersfield …except if you believe that is our level
Secondly the first half might have ended 2-0 but the performance was not close to men against boys
…………..Leno………….. Bellerin–Mustafi–Sokratis–Monreal ………….Torreira………….. …..Guendhouzi–Ramsey……… ………….Ozil………….. …..Guendhouzi–PEA……… Guendhouzi has a better engine than Xhaka, links attack and defence a lot better. We’re away at Chelsea so we need a solid base, my feeling on Sunday was that if we hadn’t conceded such an easy early goal things would have been a lot closer (though not necss diff result) The only downside is a lack of width and protection of the full backs and concern at bringing Ozil into a pressing game. The pressing shape without the ball would be key to this formation. I struggle to see how Xhaka fits in… Read more »
Ishola, “Xjaka must be banished train.” You missed the part where I said Xhaka will get games this season. He does have to be used properly, not when we are deploying a high line. I’ve never said he was world class or even a good player. My assertion has always been that he s not as bad as your repeated posts make it seem. If we accumulate all our critical posts, you will find that it’s probably enough to qualify as a doctoral thesis. You’ve even gone as far as researching his name properly. That’s why I have always referred… Read more »
Dissenter
I am not even aware that Xjaka is the Albanian spelling of Xhaka so your presumptions are off yet again.
You try hard though I’ll give you that.
“Disappointing that you were unable to name the Liverpool midfield three for the season.“
Almost like I’m not Jurgen Klopp or something.
Nice deflection with Liverpool though after waxing lyrical etc. “Can’t say what they’ll do blah blah don’t care to blah blah”
They’re in a better place than us because their manager is 3.5 years in the job and has spent what? 400 mil? Emery got a tenner and ‘go on my son fill your boots’ from our lot.
…………..Leno…………..
Bellerin–Mustafi–Sokratis–Monreal
………….Torreira…………..
…..Guendhouzi–Ramsey………
………….Ozil…………..
…..Lacazette–PEA………
Interesting, informative and encouraging.
Wenger must have hated all this going on during his last days, bet he longed for the days when he and Tony Colbert were the clubs fitness department, half the team injured, no concern, its all about the values.
Im excited for the next few months regarding players performance’s. It’ll be interesting to see how players respond to being held accountable for their performances by the new manager. Also how they respond to being dropped and having to do sometimes uncomfortable things will I think show us a lot about their character. They have nowhere to hide now,and I think come the end of the season we will have a much clearer view of what type of players we have. On a side note to the Henderson chat, I think he is garbage. I’ve seen stroke victims turn better… Read more »
Xhaka is rubbish and so is Henderson.
Can’t Emery go back to tape of the invincible to adapt to that system so we surprise the rest of the league?
This building/playing from the back is stupid and rubbish.
To all the Usmanov lovers, who thought that he’s a real fan and a football person because I can swear I’ve read shite like that all over this blog, how different he is compared to Kroenke, when Stan bought the Uzbek’s shares. “Should there be a proposal or a possibility to invest in them with GOOD POTENTIAL RETURNS, I would consider the deal,” he told Bloomberg. “When I bought the stake in Arsenal I believed that football brands would be able to GENERATE PROFIT,” he said. “This is happening now.” A big laugh to all the people who thought that… Read more »
First quote is regarding if he would invest in Everton.
You may be right Raptora, I personally have no great love for Usmanov, but the jury is out, lets see what he does at Everton, I suspect they will be having a lot of money poured into them, partly with the aim of spiting Kroenke.
Raptora
I guess we will never know what Usmanov would have turned out to be since it never happened
It’s all conjecture at this point.
I do not blame him for leaving though. It’s dumb to tie down that much capital into an enterprise where you have no say or representation at board level.
It’s not th first time he’s been ineffective centrally through them middle in the prem
Lacazette went through a period last season where he scored 1 goal in 14 games and then got injured.
Okay,
Maybe I reacted a bit too wild. Sorry that it was rude to Alex and some others might get offended as well.
A more measured thing to say would have been that by the sound of what Usmanov has said, chances are that he would have been yet another SK and not Abramovich. At least what I’m gathering from his words.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/11472428/alisher-usmanov-would-consider-investing-in-everton
This news is being discussed on here already if true. Here’s a link:
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/11472428/alisher-usmanov-would-consider-investing-in-everton
Marko Arsenal’s set up for Man City game was effectively defensive with Aubameyang completely isolated. Man City were playing most of that game with three at back with only Aubameyang to control. When Lacazette came on they had for first time in game a double threat and Man City did not look nearly so comfortable. My personal view is that Arsenal should consider playing 4-3-3 system against most teams in EPL. I would play Aubameyang, Lacazette and either Mkhitaryan or Iwobi up front and then Torreira plus two midfielders from Xhaka, Ramsey, Guendouzi and Ozil to play alongside him. We… Read more »
raptora
Simultaneous posting… impressive
Apparently Emery was called to a board meeting to be assured about his future, obviously ridiculous that anyone would even think he would be in danger after one game against the champions having taken over a 6th place team, but interesting to see the board have basically taken control of the club now.
But Xhaka was one of the last players back for pre-season and only clocked 60 mins before playing City. Ramsey and co had a full 6-8 weeks of conditioning and several pre-season games. What’s their excuse
Doesn’t explain the last two seasons where he’s been wank. Besides the Swiss got knocked out July 3rd how come he didn’t come back early like Özil 😉
What Marko said is right.
14 games, 1 goal is a stat that even Xhaka wouldn’t like.
Marko
“Lacazette went through a period last season where he scored 1 goal in 14 games and then got injured.”
That’s a misreading of the stats though.
Lacazette scored in his first game and had one goal disallowed when we faced Stoke city away to a phantom offside.
Subsequently Wenger disrupted his rhythm by pulling him out prematurely or playing Welbeck instead of him. I don’t think he got a fair shake at all.
Apparently Emery was called to a board meeting to be assured about his future
Honestly that sounds nonsense unless in the board meeting they were giving him assurances that he’ll be able to fix this mess he inherited
Marko
How many games did he finish? And this was the same period whereby just after he got knee surgery or something after it came out he was playing with an injury?
Point entirely missed anyway, I didn state Lacazette was a bigger goal threat (i said Auba is better here), I said he’s better centrally for his ability to link play and let us move forward. All of which he disposed in those games where he wasn’t scoring.
I like Emery. I don’t think that he is the perfect manager compared to Pep, but he is as good as we could have got. Certainly not below Klopp and Mouninho. Not sure about Poch’s and Sarri’s quality. One has only had one good team (spuds) and hasn’t won anything with it, but might go to Real Madrid and win it all. Who knows?! And Sarri is another one without a single trophy won in his career, but is regarded as having his own style and being a manager with flair football. Not much between them I guess. I think… Read more »
To ruffle yet more teenage feathers.. This exact situation is why Arteta was a genuine and bold option to take. If we are miles off until the squad is overhauled (by Sven and Raul, not the manager) then why not have a guy that at least knows the current crop to extract what he can. Emery may or may not prove his worth, he has all the credentials to and fingers crossed we don’t go down a path of manager upon manager. However I fail to see how we’d be in any worse a position over the next 12 months… Read more »
CC: “How many games did he finish?”
Why would he play 90′ if he was shite throughout?! LOL
That’s a misreading of the stats though.
How so? I’m talking about a period where he was playing and he scored 1 in 14 and you’re bringing up the start of the season and him being eased in. They’re not the same. For one thing his drought came around Christmas time and then he got injured and we bought Aubameyang.
Raptora
You’re acting more and more like red everyday.. oh dear
I don’t have the strength for this Arteta talk today. I will leave you to it …the bold part got me laughing though. He can as well be bold and apply for other jobs across Europe